The biggest lithium-ion battery in the world is entering its final testing stages at a wind-farm near Jamestown in South Australia.
Elon Musk had vowed that the Tesla battery would be ready in 100 days or else he would pay for it; a pledge that would have cost him $50 million or more. The battery is on track to meet the deadline of being operational by December 1st, that is assuming it passes all of the state and energy sector regulatory tests. It should be fully operational in a week.
It is a 100-megawatt or 129-megawatt-hour battery that is capable of powering 30,000 homes for more than an hour. Its purpose is to support the energy grid in the state of South Australia which suffered blackouts last year and is predicted to have significant energy challenges over the summer. The battery will store energy generated on the grid, like from the adjacent wind farm made by French company Neoen Hornsdale, this can then be activated to bolster the grid when energy production slows or can keep energy costs low by storing power made by its cheaper sources.
Electricity and batteries lie at the heart of Tesla"s plans, so this is a major success for the company. Anyone who saw Musk"s unveiling of the Tesla Semi and Roadster last week will know that the company wants to wipe out fossil fuels wherever it can; battery systems similar to this one will form a part of its future plans to build recharging stations for its cars and trucks.
Source and Images via ABC